Paper and scissors take on new dimensions at UA’s Emily Davis Gallery

10/14/2013

Folding and cutting paper — something many of us did as children to make snowflakes — takes on exciting new dimensions in an exhibition on view Oct. 28 through Dec. 6 in the Emily Davis Gallery at The University of Akron.

Using myriad tools and paper, the artists create works that range from narrative commentaries to complex structural abstractions.

Light, shadow and color play key roles, transforming the ancient technique of paper cutting — which traces its origins to 6th century China — into dynamic installations filled with delicate illusions.

For example, Canadian artist Michelle Forsyth creates thousands of intricately cut and stacked paper flowers using photographs from historical disaster sites, while U.S. artist Lauren Scanlon uses romance novels and vintage bed sheets in her works.

Artist Lenka Konopasek, born in the Czech Republic and now residing in Salt Lake City, focuses on man-made and natural disasters, such as tornadoes, to create provocative works that belie her playful "pop up" technique.

The exhibition's opening reception is Monday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Curator Reni Gower, an art professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and one of the artists featured in the exhibition, will talk about "Papercuts" in a free public lecture Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Folk Hall Auditorium.

"Papercuts" is funded, in part, by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the city of Mobile and Mobile County. The exhibition is also sponsored in part by the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Presenting free exhibitions and lectures, the Emily Davis Gallery is in Folk Hall (map), home of UA's Myers School of Art, 150 E. Exchange St.

The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is also free. For more information: 330-972-6030 or edgallery@uakron.edu.